Client news

Central Hall Westminster today announces that it will host the BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year competition, taking place on Sunday 5th November.

Five choirs have reached the final of the competition and will perform in front of an expected audience of 1500 in the central London venue’s Great Hall.

Well known for being a prestigious event in the Gospel music world and this year celebrating its fifth anniversary, the competition will be screened on BBC One in two programmes on November 26th and December 3rd.

The five choirs taking to the stage in the Great Hall include the LCCM Choir, the Oxford Gospel Events Choir, Royal Voices, Singology Choir and The Big Sing: Gospel Voices who will all battle it out to take the coveted Gospel Choir of the Year trophy.

There will also be a special performance from West End star Rachel John.

On the same day, the Methodist Central Hall’s Sunday service will be televised for BBC Songs of Praise in front of a congregation of 700 in the Great Hall.

Revd Martyn Atkins, Team Leader and Superintendent Minister at Methodist Central Hall, comments: “We are delighted to be hosting The BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year competition and to be establishing a relationship with Avanti Media, who are producing this for the BBC. We are looking forward to welcoming people from far and wide for this exciting occasion and to seeing it screened on BBC One.”

Paul Southern, Managing Director at Central Hall Westminster, the conferencing and events arm of the venue, adds: “This promises to be a spectacular event being held in partnership with our church to which all are welcome to attend. Our Great Hall, featuring Europe’s largest self-supporting domed ceiling, will provide the ideal acoustics and atmosphere for such a prestigious musical occasion. The Great Hall with its capacity, atmosphere and design lends itself to occasions like this.”

Central Hall Westminster (CHW) is central London’s largest purpose-built conference centre, combining historical elegance with cutting-edge technical capabilities. The unique Edwardian landmark building situated adjacent to Westminster Abbey is the home of a culturally diverse Methodist Church and has engaged high profile conferences, special events and local business meetings since 1912.

Central Hall Westminster offers 22 event spaces, including:

The Great Hall – Seats up to 2,000 delegates and features Europe’s largest self-supporting domed ceiling, creating a uniquely intimate atmosphere in the circular shaped, tiered balcony hall with natural daylight.

Library and Lecture Hall – The bright and spacious halls provide flexible space flooded with natural light for up to 1,100 delegates.

Six rooms up to 150 delegates - All rooms offer flexible configurations combined with natural light/ blackout facilities. By using adjacent rooms and spacious foyers, unique event spaces can be created, allowing for breakout sessions, catering and registration.

13 rooms for up to 60 delegates - With beautiful original features, Central Hall Westminster’s smaller rooms provide an elegant setting for meetings from 20 to 60 guests.

The architectural features of the building include the iconic dome, spacious entrance foyers and hallways, marble flooring and a sweeping Grand staircase, the design of which is based on the Paris Opera House.